Toothbrush assembly having biodegradable head

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush assembly having toothbrush members with biodegradable portions wherein the toothbrush members are configured to be releasably secured to a holder. The holder of the present invention includes an interior volume and is configured to receive, store and dispense a dentifrice. The holder includes a lever member at the top thereof. The toothbrush members include a lower portion and an upper portion wherein the upper portion is releasably secured to the lower portion. The upper portion is manufactured from a biodegradable plastic. The lower portion includes at least one magnet wherein the at least one magnet facilitates mounting the toothbrush member to the holder as well as to a mounting plate wherein the mounting plate is secured to a desired vertical surface. The holder includes a lever member to facilitate dispensing of the dentifrice. The upper portion includes three contiguously formed sections.

PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C SECTION 119(E) & 37 C.F.R. SECTION 1.78

This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. Provisional Pat. Application entitled: Toothbrush Assembly Having Biodegradable Head, Application No.: 63/269,793 filed March 23,2022, in the name of Jessica Drader and Amy Duhamel, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to oral hygiene, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a toothbrush assembly that includes a plurality of toothbrushes and a holder wherein the toothbrushes are configured to have a releasably secured head unit having biodegradable bristles.

BACKGROUND

Millions of individuals routinely engage in a daily oral hygiene routine. For most, the standard oral hygiene routine consists of at least a minimum of brushing their teeth twice a day utilizing a toothbrush that has a conventional dentifrice such as toothpaste deposited thereon. Other oral hygiene tasks that can be incorporated into a daily oral hygiene routine include but are not limited to flossing, mouthwash and utilization of water jet cleaner or sonic toothbrush. Healthy teeth and gums are an important part of an individual’s overall health and can have an impact thereon

While techniques such as brushing with a conventional toothbrush and dentifrice provide overall effectiveness, there are drawbacks to the utilization of conventional toothbrushes. does have some limitations. Worldwide approximately 3.5 billion toothbrushes are sold annually. This equates to approximately 175 million pounds of plastic. One problem with conventional toothbrushes is that they are not manufactured from a plastic that can be recycled. As such the 175 million pounds of plastic either winds up in landfills or the oceans where it will remain for at least 1000 years since the type of material of which toothbrushes are made are not biodegradable.

It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide a toothbrush assembly comprising a toothbrush holder, a dentifrice compartment and a plurality of toothbrushes wherein the toothbrushes of the present invention have a releasably secured head unit that is manufactured from a biodegradable plastic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush assembly comprising a toothbrush holder and a plurality of toothbrushes wherein the toothbrush holder includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush assembly having toothbrushes wherein the toothbrushes include a replaceable component wherein the interior volume of the toothbrush holder is configured to receive, retain and dispense a dentifrice.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush assembly comprising a toothbrush holder and a plurality of toothbrushes wherein the toothbrush holder is manufactured from a metal such as but not limited to aluminum.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush assembly having toothbrushes wherein the toothbrushes include a replaceable component wherein the toothbrush holder includes a movable top configured to assist in the dispensing of the dentifrice.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush assembly comprising a toothbrush holder and a plurality of toothbrushes wherein the toothbrush holder includes a depression proximate the bottom thereof for catching spills of dentifrice.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush assembly having toothbrushes wherein the toothbrush of the present invention includes a lower portion and an upper portion wherein the upper portion is releasably secured to the lower portion.

Another object of the present invention is to a provide a toothbrush assembly comprising a toothbrush holder and a plurality of toothbrushes wherein the lower portion of the toothbrush can be manufactured from metal and include textured surfaces on a portion thereof.

An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush assembly having toothbrushes wherein the upper portion is manufactured from biodegradable plastic which includes the bristles thereof.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush assembly comprising a toothbrush holder and a plurality of toothbrushes wherein the toothbrushes are magnetically coupled to the side of the toothbrush holder.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush assembly having toothbrushes wherein the upper portion is angularly oriented with respect to the handle portion.

A further object of the present invention is to provide toothbrush assembly comprising a toothbrush holder and a plurality of toothbrushes that is cost effective.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the toothbrush of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the toothbrush of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side exploded view of the toothbrush of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 perspective view of the toothbrush secured to a mounting plate of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a toothbrush assembly having toothbrushes with biodegradable portions 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the toothbrush assembly having toothbrushes with biodegradable portions 100 includes a holder 10 wherein the holder 10 is configured to have releasably secured thereto a plurality of toothbrush members 40 as well as be operable to dispense a dentifrice therefrom. The holder 10 includes a plurality of walls 12 integrally formed to create an interior volume. The holder 10 includes an upper end 9 wherein the upper end 9 has movably coupled therewith a lever member 15. The lever member 15 is hingedly secured to the rear wall 13 proximate the top end thereof. The lever member 15 is biasly mounted utilizing suitable techniques such as but not limited to spring hinges so as to return to a first position as is illustrated herein. The lever member 15 is depressed downwards towards the upper edge 16 in order to facilitate dispensing of a dentifrice disposed in the interior volume of the holder 10. The dentifrice is expelled in the bottom portion 20 of the holder 10 as the lever member 15 is depressed towards its second position wherein in the second position the lever member 15, in particular the upper portion 17 thereof, is moved so as to be adjacent upper edge 16. While not particularly illustrated herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the bottom portion 20 would include a nozzle or other similar element so as to control direction of the dispensed dentifrice. Bottom portion 20 includes void 21 wherein void 21 is formed in the holder 10 being of suitable size to accommodate at least the bristle area 75 of the upper portion 60 wherein the bristle area 75 is positioned within the void 21 to have a dentifrice deposited thereon. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the void 21 could be sized to accommodate two bristle areas 75 so as to provide an ability to deposit dentifrice on two toothbrush members 40 simultaneously.

The holder 10 in a preferred embodiment is manufactured from a durable rigid material such as but not limited to plastic. As will be further discussed herein, the toothbrush member 40 is configured to be magnetically secured in a stored position when not in use. The stored position can be implemented on the side walls 7 of the holder 10 or be placed in the stored position on the mounting plate 30 which is configured to be releasably secured to a desired surface. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the holder 10 could be provided in alternate sizes and have various quantities of toothbrush members 40 secured thereto. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the side walls 7 of the holder 10 are manufactured from a magnetic material in order to facilitate maintaining the toothbrush members 40 in a stored position. Additionally, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the mounting plate 30 could be secured to the side walls 7 so as to facilitate mounting of the toothbrush member 40. The mounting plate 30 is elongated oval in shape having a first layer 31 and a second layer 32. First layer 31 is manufactured from a durable rigid material such as but not limited to plastic. The second layer 32 is superposed the first layer 31 and is manufactured from a magnetic material in order to magnetically couple with magnets 37. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the mounting plate 30 could be provided in alternate shapes and/or sizes in order to facilitate placing the toothbrush member 40 in its stored position. While four toothbrush members 40 are illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the toothbrush assembly having toothbrushes with biodegradable portions 100 could have more or less than four toothbrush members 40.

The toothbrush member 40 includes a lower portion 50 and an upper portion 60 wherein the lower portion 50 and upper portion 60 are releasably secured. Upper portion 60 is releasably secured in order to facilitate routine replacement thereof. The lower portion 50 includes a first end 51 and a second end 52 and is generally elongated in form. The lower portion 50 includes sidewalls 53,54 along with a top wall 55 and bottom wall 56 that are contiguously formed. Secured into the bottom wall 56 are magnets 37 wherein the magnets 37 are secured into the bottom wall 56 utilizing suitable durable techniques such as but not limited to chemical adhesion. While two magnets 37 are illustrated herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the lower portion 50 could employ more than two magnets or less than two magnets in order to achieve the desired objective herein of facilitating the placement of the toothbrush member 40 in a stored position. The magnets 37 are enclosed within the bottom wall 56 with cover member 48. Cover member 48 is manufactured from aluminum or other suitable material and is secured to the bottom wall 56 employing suitable techniques. Grip members 80 are formed on the sidewalls 53, 54 and are manufactured from a non-slip material such as but not limited to rubber. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the grip member 80 could be provided in alternate sizes.

Lower portion 50 includes receiving slot 57 integrally formed thereinto. Receiving slot 57 is hollow and is configured to have journaled thereinto the first end 61 of the upper portion 60. The first end 61 frictionally engages the receiving slot 57 so as to releasably secure the upper portion 60 thereinto. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the receiving slot 57 and first end 61 could be configured in numerous alternate manners in order to facilitate the releasable securing of the upper portion 60 to the lower portion 50. The first end 61 is formed from a first section 62, second section 63 and third section 64. The second section 63 is intermediate the first section 62 and third section 64 at the lower end 67 of the upper portion 60. The first section 62 is angularly oriented with respect to the third section 64 so as to initiate the angular orientation of the upper segment 70 of the upper portion 60. The lower offset 71 and upper offset 72 are formed to further provide the angular orientation of the upper segment 70. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the upper segment 70 could be positioned in various different angles.

The upper portion 60 in a desired embodiment is manufactured from a biodegradable material. Upper portion 60 includes bristle area 75 having bristles 76 secured thereto utilizing suitable techniques. The bristles 76 are additionally manufactured from a biodegradable material. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the upper portion 60 could be manufactured from alternate types of biodegradable plastics.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toothbrush assembly wherein the toothbrush assembly comprises: a holder, said holder having a plurality of walls forming an interior volume, said holder having a top end and a bottom end, said holder configured to be superposed a horizontal support surface, said holder having an interior volume configured to receive and store a dentifrice, said holder having a bottom portion, said bottom portion configured to dispense the dentifrice; at least one toothbrush member, said at least one toothbrush member being releasably secured to a side of the holder, said at least one toothbrush member having a lower portion and an upper portion, said at least one toothbrush member further including at least one magnet, said at least one magnet being disposed within said lower portion of said at least one toothbrush member, said upper portion being configured to be releasably secured to said lower portion, said upper portion being manufactured from a biodegradable material.
 2. The toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said holder includes a lever member, said lever member being hingedly secured to a top of said holder, said lever member movable between a first position and a second position so as to dispense dentifrice from said holder.
 3. The toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 2, and further including a mounting plate, said mounting plate being secured to a vertical support surface, said mounting plate being manufactured from a magnetic material.
 4. The toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said lower portion includes a first end and a second end, said lower portion having an interior volume.
 5. The toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein said lower portion further includes a receiving slot at said first end of said lower portion.
 6. The toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein said receiving slot of said lower portion is configured to have journaled thereinto a first end of said upper portion.
 7. The toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said bottom portion of said holder includes a void, said void configured to receive therein a section of said upper portion of said toothbrush member.
 8. The toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein said upper portion is angularly oriented to said lower portion.
 9. The toothbrush assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein said lower portion further includes grip members disposed on opposing sides thereof.
 10. A toothbrush assembly configured to store and dispense a dentifrice wherein the toothbrush assembly comprises: a holder, said holder having four walls, a bottom and a top forming an interior volume, said holder having a lever member proximate said top, said holder configured to be superposed a horizontal support surface, said holder having a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a void, said four wall includes opposing side walls, said opposing sidewalls being manufactured from a magnetic material, said holder configured to dispense the dentifrice in the void of said bottom portion; a plurality of toothbrush members, said plurality of toothbrush members being releasably secured said opposing sidewalls of said holder, wherein each of said plurality of toothbrush members having a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower portion of each of said plurality of toothbrush members having a bottom wall, top wall and sidewalls forming an interior volume of said lower portion, said lower portion of each of said plurality of toothbrush members having a first end and a second end, said first end of said plurality of toothbrush members having a receiving slot formed therein, said first end of said upper portion of said plurality of toothbrush members configured to be inserted into said receiving slot, said upper portion being manufactured from a biodegradable material, said upper portion having a bristle area, said bristle area having bristles formed thereon.
 11. The toothbrush assembly configured to store and dispense a dentifrice as recited in claim 10, wherein said first end of said upper portion includes a first section, a second section and a third section, said first section, second section and third section being contiguously formed, said second section being intermediate said first section and said third section, said first section being angularly oriented to said third section.
 12. The toothbrush assembly configured to store and dispense a dentifrice as recited in claim 11, wherein said first end of said upper portion is configured to be inserted into said receiving slot and releasably secure said upper portion to said lower portion.
 13. The toothbrush assembly configured to store and dispense a dentifrice as recited in claim 12, wherein said upper portion includes an upper segment, said upper segment having an upper offset and a lower offset proximate said first end of said upper portion, said upper offset and said lower offset configured to provide an angular orientation of an upper segment of said upper portion.
 14. The toothbrush assembly configured to store and dispense a dentifrice as recited in claim 13, wherein said lower portion of said plurality of toothbrush members further include at least one magnet, said at least one magnet being disposed in said bottom wall of said lower portion.
 15. The toothbrush assembly configured to store and dispense a dentifrice as recited in claim 14, and further including a mounting plate, said mounting plate being secured to a vertical support surface, said mounting plate being manufactured from a magnetic material so as to have releasably secure thereto the lower portion of said plurality of toothbrush members.
 16. The toothbrush assembly configured to store and dispense a dentifrice as recited in claim 15, wherein said first section and said second section of said first end of said upper portion has a void therebetween. 